At the heart of Chaitra Shastry’s work is a simple belief: tech is about people.
For more than 15 years at VMware and now Broadcom, she has built a career that blends technical expertise with a strong focus on human relationships—from her early days in tech support to her current role as a VMware Cloud Foundation Technical Adoption Manager (VCF TAM) supporting one of Australia’s largest banks.
Now based in Sydney, Chaitra brings empathy and a people-first mindset to every interaction. Whether she’s working through a complex technical issue or helping a customer navigate broader business challenges, she leads with emotional intelligence and believes that the best solutions start with understanding the person behind the problem.
From tech support to building solutions at scale
Chaitra’s path to tech began in high school, when she traded biology for computer science and found herself unexpectedly drawn to the world of binary code. What started as an elective choice became the beginning of a career in engineering and a deep-seated drive to solve problems that matter.
She began her career in B2C tech support but quickly discovered a preference for B2B work, where evolving business needs offered more opportunities for variety and scale.
Over time, she explored different roles, including quality engineering, before finding her place as a TAM at Broadcom. What made the VCF TAM role stick? The blend of people, process, and problem-solving.
“I’m happiest when I’m talking to people,” Chaitra shared. “Looking at their technical issues and business objectives brings the best out of me.”
Discovering the power of emotional intelligence
Chaitra credits much of her growth to the managers who mentored her, shaped her path, and provided support when she needed it most.
A key moment in her journey came when an early manager shared feedback that would change how she approached her work. After what she thought was a successful customer call, he agreed she had solved the issue but noted that she hadn’t fully considered the person behind it. “It hit me — I need to put people above problems or technology,” Chaitra recalled.
As a TAM, that mindset has transformed how she works with customers. When challenges arise, she begins not with the issue itself, but with the person experiencing it. This approach leads to better conversations and helps her get to the heart of customers’ needs faster.
Chaitra sees emotional intelligence as one of the most valuable tools in her work, especially when customers don’t say everything outright. Over the years, she’s developed a strong intuition for reading between the lines and understanding what’s needed, even when details are left unsaid.
That ability to tune into customer needs, combined with her skill in managing competing priorities, has become central to how Chaitra builds trust and delivers value.
For her, that level of focus and care is what defines the VCF Technical Account Manager role.
“Everyone should have a VCF TAM,” she said. “We’re fully dedicated to our customers and focused on what drives value for them. And that mindset is the same no matter where you are in the world. That’s what I love about this role.”
Maintaining a grounded mindset
Over the years, Chaitra has learned the importance of making space for life outside of work. Earlier in her career, she was focused on proving herself and building a strong foundation. Today, she’s found more balance and perspective, which she brings into her work with customers.
“At 22, I was so focused on work that I may have missed out on some of the fun,” she said. “Now, I know how to find humor in even the toughest situations and how to keep things in perspective.”
She encourages other women to pursue what genuinely excites them, whether in tech or another field, and to define success on their own terms. There will always be ups and downs, she says, but staying connected to your values makes all the difference.
For Chaitra, that approach guides how she shows up in every part of her life, helping her stay grounded, focused, and fulfilled.
A few years ago, Chaitra and her family relocated from India to Sydney, embracing the chance to experience a new culture and way of life. Outside of work, she prioritizes family time, whether she’s swimming at the beach, cooking Indian food, experimenting with local recipes, or reading with her young daughter.
In honor of International Women’s Month and International Women in Tech Day, we’re spotlighting women like Chaitra who are making a lasting impact in the field. Check out our recent features on her fellow VCF TAM Jude Arana and Galina Nikolova, a Service Solutions Architect with the VMware Worldwide Consulting Center.
